Study: Porn Stars Aren’t “Damaged” by Their ProfessionA report finds adult actresses are happier than the rest of us -- and that being naked might lead to self-esteem.
November 28, 2012 |

A common stereotype of a female porn star is an insecure, sexually abused, mentally ill and/or drug-addled woman. It’s one supported by anecdotes (most memorably by Linda Lovelace’s harrowing autobiography) and rhetoric (the feminist scholar Catharine MacKinnon went so far as to claim that all porn actresses were sexually abused as children). But as for actual research? Eh, not so much.

Now, a new study claims to have debunked this truism, which is known as the “damaged goods hypothesis.”

Some performers were amused by the news. “As a happy, healthy female porn performer, my reaction is: thanks, science, thanks so much for proving I am real,” says writer and porn performer Lorelei Lee in an email.

On a similar note, porn actress Dylan Ryan tells me, “It’s about time that research catches up to the realities for a great many women who perform in porn,” she says in an email. “It’s important to me as a performer that the conversation evolve and develop to make space for the (as in any community and population) diversity of experiences, personalities and lifestyles of porn performers.”

Adult actress and director Kimberly Kane took a different tack. “I’ve found that everyone is damaged no matter what line of work they’re in,” she says.

Researchers compared self-reports from a group of nearly 200 porn actresses to those of women outside the industry who were similar in age, ethnicity and marital status. Not only did the report show no higher incidence of child sexual abuse or psychological problems among female performers, but it actually found that pornsters had higher levels of self-esteem and sexual satisfaction....

I'm not certain that most people aren't in careers that they have few other choices "than." I'm neutral on the subject really. I think a lot of self-proclaimed religious people will try to keep the pressure on that community for a long time to come because it's not their choice, and the industry will keep on keeping on anyway. And after they get done condeming the other group for being different they'll run off to pornhub on their smart phone and make a mess. Nothing against religious people, I'm just saying that I think people who don't just live and let live are assholes IMO.

"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).

I can tell you for a fact that Kimberly Kane has very high self-esteem.

It's kind of weird: Porn chicks aren't like strippers. Sure, I've met a few that were somewhat damaged but these girls see themselves as "Stars". Most make very good money and surprisingly (or maybe not), most that I've met own homes, cars, etc.

I ran the financial aid office for a design school in Las Vegas for many years. A lot of the strippers out there are not only smart, but own homes and are preparing for their future by getting an education.

I simply refuse to believe that most women who've had any kind of lengthy career in porn, are capable of having a normal and healthy relationship.

The point you're missing is that most aren't interested in a "normal, healthy relationship".

They believe what they're doing is just fine. It's part of their lifestyle. It's not like these women (or men) are going to suddenly "wake up" 20 years later and say "Wow, I should have gotten a "real" job" and not ****ed on film".

I ran the financial aid office for a design school in Las Vegas for many years. A lot of the strippers out there are not only smart, but own homes and are preparing for their future by getting an education.

While I've known a few with college degrees (pre and post career), Las Vegas is a completely different city than St. Louis, Illinios, for example.

Many of the Vegas strippers are working the system. They get that they'll make tons of dough for showing their assets. The smartest strippers I've known KNOW it's a game, treat the men as customers and never socialize with them after hours or at any point in time. It's a means to an end.

The problem is that 95% of all strippers elsewhere are the exact opposite.

The point you're missing is that most aren't interested in a "normal, healthy relationship".

They believe what they're doing is just fine. It's part of their lifestyle. It's not like these women (or men) are going to suddenly "wake up" 20 years later and say "Wow, I should have gotten a "real" job" and not ****ed on film".

It's a completely different mindset.

I totally believe all of that, but what a sad and empty life they're going to have down the road.

They'll be like Randy West living all alone in his 60's, unable to get a "normal" person to take a chance on them.

I totally believe all of that, but what a sad and empty life they're going to have down the road.

Eh, I think it depends. Someone like Sunny Leone, who's now producing as well as acting, is multi-millionaire and happy living the life she's chosen. Many of the girls have left the business after buying homes, nice cars, etc. and chosen to raise families.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

They'll be like Randy West living all alone in his 60's, unable to get a "normal" person to take a chance on them.

I don't know Randy West but Ron Jeremy probably wouldn't complain about his life. As I mentioned in the thread dedicated to his health, he was a happy, very nice and down to earth guy every time I'd run into him.

There are a lot of people in this world that just aren't hung up on sex. ****ing on film is no big deal to many, many people and hasn't stopped people or people in that business from having kids, being married, etc.

Porn is mainstream. There's less of a stigma involved than there was 20, 30 or 40 years ago when it was "dark" and "taboo".

I totally believe all of that, but what a sad and empty life they're going to have down the road.

The only positive (and it's a big one) is that they won't base a relationship off of sex.

Good or bad they'll only stick with someone because they care about them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

They'll be like Randy West living all alone in his 60's, unable to get a "normal" person to take a chance on them.

I've never been in porn and never dated anyone "normal."

__________________

Quote:

"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).

I totally believe all of that, but what a sad and empty life they're going to have down the road.

This is attitude is just projecting "normal" values onto people who likely don't have "normal" values. While you may think a fulfilling future is having an office job, 401k, house in the burbs and 2.5 children, the people with the mindset to do porn or strip may choose death over that sort of prison. They likely relate better to people who have also lived alternative lifestyles, so don't consider that the typical mid-40s callaway polo wearing republican considers them unworthy of marriage.

People date strippers and ex-strippers all the time. That chick from "cathouse" (I think that's the name) married the head guy and is essentially in a management position of the brothel. She's also rich. (An unusual example, but an example)

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by stlchiefs

Why can't more people be like sedated?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballBillay

I'd imagine sedated was the guy calling the cops on people for setting off fireworks. Doesn't seem like a fun guy.

This is attitude is just projecting "normal" values onto people who likely don't have "normal" values. While you may think a fulfilling future is having an office job, 401k, house in the burbs and 2.5 children, the people with the mindset to do porn or strip may choose death over that sort of prison. They likely relate better to people who have also lived alternative lifestyles, so don't consider that the typical mid-40s callaway polo wearing republican considers them unworthy of marriage.

People date strippers and ex-strippers all the time. That chick from "cathouse" (I think that's the name) married the head guy and is essentially in a management position of the brothel. She's also rich. (An unusual example, but an example)

Truth right here.

And who are we to judge anyway? What's really 'normal'? Who is actually 'normal'?

I'd be willing to bet a lot of these chicks will go on to live happier lives than many people reading this thread right now.

Eh, I think it depends. Someone like Sunny Leone, who's now producing as well as acting, is multi-millionaire and happy living the life she's chosen. Many of the girls have left the business after buying homes, nice cars, etc. and chosen to raise families.

I don't know Randy West but Ron Jeremy probably wouldn't complain about his life. As I mentioned in the thread dedicated to his health, he was a happy, very nice and down to earth guy every time I'd run into him.

There are a lot of people in this world that just aren't hung up on sex. ****ing on film is no big deal to many, many people and hasn't stopped people or people in that business from having kids, being married, etc.

Porn is mainstream. There's less of a stigma involved than there was 20, 30 or 40 years ago when it was "dark" and "taboo".

I suppose i'm layering a bit too much of my own experience into what i'm saying, i dated a girl who'd previously worked in the escort business, had made great money, taken trips all over the place etc... but she truly was damaged goods after that, totally unable to form a "normal" bond.

Her idea of what went into a loving relationship was way outta whack, she figured that as long as she was giving you all you could handle, that was enough... beyond that she was a moneygrubbing liar and cheater.

Anyway, i guess my bottom line is that i'd never again try to put something together with someone who'd worked in the sex industry in any capacity whatsoever.